Patti Ann McDonald had tears streaming down her face, a tissue in hand when she walked out onto the Garden ice Sunday evening. Her son Conor stayed stoic while wearing his NYPD dress uniform, giving the kind of speech his father used to on these nights.

Every season starting with 1987-88, the Rangers have given out the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award to the player voted by the fans as the Ranger who “goes above and beyond the call of duty,” the award created more than a year after McDonald was paralyzed from the neck down in a Central Park shooting.

This year’s ceremony took on a different meaning nearly three months after McDonald’s passing. It honored his bravery and legacy of forgiveness. Conor talked about the difficulties his father had daily, and how his father told him, “Life isn’t easy. It isn’t supposed to be easy.”

Steven McDonald's widow (l.) cries into her son Conor's (l.) arms as the Rangers present an award named after the late NYPD cop.

(CSM/REX/Shutterstock/CSM/REX/Shutterstock)

They always felt at home watching the Rangers at the Garden, where Sunday night they presented this year’s Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award to Mats Zuccarello, who was given the honor for the second straight season and the third time in four years. Four of McDonald’s caregivers were present for the ceremony.

“I’m honored,” Zuccarello said. “It’s a proud moment for me. I think a lot of guys on our team could have had that award. I am really humbled that I was the one, especially this year. Every year, for me, this is the biggest award to win and I’m really proud of it. Obviously you couldn’t have done it without your teammates and your team. I think everyone shares this award and especially this year.”

The Rangers have been giving the award named after McDonald since 1987-88 after he was paralyzed from a shooting in Central Park.

(CSM/REX/Shutterstock/CSM/REX/Shutterstock)

Zuccarello, who led the team with 59 points, embraced the McDonalds before captain Ryan McDonagh presented them with a McDonald 104 jersey, featuring Steven’s badge number, signed by the entire team. When the Rangers honored McDonald on Jan. 13 every player wore McDonald 104 warmup jerseys, which were auctioned off and raised $24,000 for the DEA Widows' and Children's Fund, according to the Rangers.

“I met (Steven McDonald) a few times outside, so I know them a little bit,” Zuccarello said. “So I just thought that he’s here with us and to stay strong. I think it was an emotional moment for them and emotional for me as well. Just embrace the moment, you know? I think it was a great day for all of us.”

Earlier Sunday McDonagh — who after missing the last four games scored in Sunday’s first period — was named team MVP as voted on by the media, and Jesper Fast earned the Players’ Player Award, voted by Rangers players to recognize the player who “best exemplifies what it means to be a team player.”